PHYLLOSTACHYS VIRIDI-GLAUCESCENS 
THOSE who are responsible for naming many of our Bamboos 
have certainly shown poverty of invention and a feeble 
measure of discrimination. Here is another species flaunt- 
ing a name which would seem to point to a prominent 
character peculiar to itself, and distinguishing it from its 
kith and kin, whereas this character is no peculiarity at all, 
but a matter of common property in which the whole family 
has a share. It is true that the foliage is of a radiant green ; 
equally true that when a passing breeze stirs the leaves the 
glaucous colour of their lower face is revealed in charming 
contrast, and a chameleon-like change takes place; but 
PHYLLOSTACHYS VIRIDI-GLAUCESCENS has no monopoly of this 
brilliant, almost iridescent effect—which is the heritage of 
well-nigh every Bamboo with which we are acquainted,—and 
is not even the one in which it is the most conspicuous. To 
the injudicious application of such names as this, setting up 
on behalf of one individual exclusive claims to rights which 
belong to the many, may be attributed much of the confusion 
of which we have been the victims. 
Be that as it may, there the name is, and it must stand. 
At any rate it is certain that we have here not only a hardy 
Bamboo which has held its own without flinching against 
